When I was a kid, back in the 1970s, there were no trade paperbacks. If you wanted to read a comic book from days past, you looked through some comic book store's catalog and ordered it. And the book I most coveted? Avengers #4. The one where Captain America returns. I wanted it. Unfortunately, even in Good condition, the thing was $20.00. Fortunately, my parents were comic-tolerant and it became a birthday present one year. It's still probably the most memorable birthday present I've ever been given. I remember how exciting it was just to hold it in my hands. I read it slowly, savoring every word. It remained one of my most treasured possessions for many years.
These days...well, frankly, I'd still think more than twice about paying $20 for a single comic book. Paying the 2008 equivalent of mid-70s $20 would likely be out of the question. Even if it were the emotional equivalent of Avengers 4. As an adult, a far smaller percentage of income tends to be disposable.
However, were I to win the lottery? (A neat trick since I never play.) Or that Publisher's Clearing House thing that the fourteen-year-old insists we send in? Well, then all bets would be off.
So. Here is my list of my top five things I'd love, in no particular order, that I'll never have unless I suddenly become independently wealthy:
1. That series of TPBs of every Batman story ever published.
There are really only a couple of superheroes that have had an uninterrupted run since their creation--Batman and Superman. And I'm far less a fan of Superman than of Batman. And Batman has seemed particularly vulnerable to writer adaptation. So this opportunity to see it happen, to see how the character changed slowly over time, would be fantastic.
2. Comprehensive collection of Marvel Masterworks editions of Golden Age Timely comics.
As any one who's read this blog at all knows, I loves me some early Captain America, Human Torch and of course the Sub-Mariner--Golden Age Namor really has no equal in the smartass category. I even own a handful of these volumes, but at $50 a pop I'm unlikely to ever own them all.
3. Complete collection of Legion of Superheroes appearances, from Adventure Comics on.
At least all the pre-Crisis material.
4. Statues.
Yeah, statues. I'm not a statue-buyer, never bought a single one, and don't plan to. I like to look at the pretty pictures but have never really yearned after them. However, were I to find myself overwhelmed with spare cash, statues of superheroes are just the sort of thing that I would probably decide to consume conspicuously.
5. A Bat-mobile.
I guess it would have to be a custom, but with the kind of money I'm imagining, why not?
1 comment:
Ah to be a rich geek huh? I am with you on the cost thing, never spent more than $20 on a comic myself. Gotta say not into the trades as much as I am the individual comics, but I do agree with buying a batmobile. I sat in the 1966 original once and wanted to drive away Soooooooooo badly :-)
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